Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Rays 2nd Round Pick - 88th Overall - SS Spencer Edwards

At the outset of 2012, Edwards was more highly regarded than Rockwall teammate Steve Bean, who seemed destined to attend Texas. Now their positions have been reversed, with Bean figuring to go in the first two rounds and Edwards unlikely to go high enough to prevent him from becoming a Longhorn. If Edwards doesn't sign, he'll be draft-eligible as a 21-year-old sophomore in 2014. A switch-hitter, he stands out for his plus-plus speed and quick bat. He could develop gap power once he fills out his 6-foot, 180-pound frame, though a hitch in his swing leads to concerns about his offensive ceiling. Edwards plays shortstop at Rockwall but likely will move to center field at Texas or in pro ball. He has enough arm for shortstop but tends to flip his throws too much, and his hands are too hard for the infield.

Edwards, who's headed to Austin to play for the Longhorns if he passes on pro ball, possesses oodles of athleticism, which allow him to play shortstop in high school. He may fit better as an outfielder, and is a two-sport star, also serving as a star defensive back and wide receiver in football. He's run 60-yard dashes in under 6.7 seconds and 40-yarders in the 4.4 range. His swing and overall plate skills are a bit raw, but if he focuses on baseball, he could be an everyday player in time.

2 (88) EDWARDS, Spencer – OFSchool: Rockwall (Texas) High SchoolBorn: 4/7/1993B/T: R/RHT/WT: 6-0/180 Ranked by ESPN.com as the 8th-best high school baseball player in the state of Texas. Named to the ESPNHS preseason Texas All-State Baseball Team. As a senior at Rockwall (Texas) HS, hit .453 (39-for-86) with 11 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 14 RBI and 17 stolen bases. Among Texas Division 4A hitters, ranked tied for fifth in homers, sixth in stolen bases and seventh in doubles. Ranked 94th in ESPN.com’s top 100 national high school prospects Was a two-sport high school athlete for the Rockwall Yellowjackets. Played defensive back and wide receiver in football. Has recorded a 60-yard dash under 6.7 seconds and 40-yard dash in the 4.4 range. His high school teammate, Steve Bean, was drafted 29 spots earlier by the St. Louis Cardinals at No. 59 overall, and his high school opponent at nearby Rockwall-Heath (Texas) HS, Jake Thompson, was drafted just three picks later by the Detroit Tigers at No. 91 overall. Played for the D-Bat Mustangs (Dallas), the same club team that produced the following players: BAL Dylan Bundy (2011 first-round pick), LAD Clayton Kershaw, LAA Jordan Walden, BAL Jake Arrieta, LAA Vernon Wells, and former Rays Casey Fossum and Ben Grieve. Signed letter of intent with the University of Texas on Oct 9, 2011 after hitting .407 with nine home runs, 37 RBI and 24 SB as a junior at Rockwall.